A ring laser gyro based navigator for space launch vehicle guidance

Author

Wright, R. Joseph, Jr. ; Sponnick, James V.

Author_Institution

Honeywell Inc., Clearwater, FL, USA

Volume

4

Issue

3

fYear

1989

fDate

3/1/1989 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

29

Lastpage

38

Abstract

A description is given of the single-package inertial navigation unit (INU) that will replace the three-package gimbaled inertial avionics system in the Centaur upper-stage launch vehicle. The INU was adapted from an existing high-volume, militarized navigation system, based on a ring laser gyro (RLG), that was selected for its performance and adaptability to the space application. Adaptations were made to accommodate: space launch requirement, including qualification in accordance with MIL-STD-1540B; mission accuracies/performance requirements; and vehicle requirements. These adaptations which involved assessment of effects from different operational scenarios and environments, including vibration, thermal, shock, and space radiation, is discussed. Enhancements that have been implemented to comply with INU requirements are examined.<>

Keywords

aerospace instrumentation; gyroscopes; inertial navigation; laser beam applications; military systems; standards; MIL-STD-1540B; aerospace instrumentation; militarized navigation; ring laser gyro; shock; single-package inertial navigation; space launch; space launch vehicle guidance; space radiation; thermal; vibration; Aerospace control; Aerospace electronics; Costs; Electronics packaging; Navigation; Propulsion; Ring lasers; Sensor systems; Space vehicles; Vehicle dynamics;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-8985

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/62.17935

Filename

17935